Dr Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden Tours

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The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, in Vancouver’s Chinatown, was the first “scholar’s” garden built outside of China in the Ming Dynasty tradition. This cultural and natural oasis offers a serene break from Vancouver’s hustle and bustle, and the nonprofit organization was named the one of top 10 city gardens in the world by National Geographic.

The Basics

This combination of the free public park and admission fee-based garden comprises winding covered walkways, ancient limestone formations, and 150-year-old miniature trees that serve as a tranquil break from the concrete jungle. The first classical Chinese garden in Canada, the site was created by master craftsmen from China using 14th-century methods: no screws, no glue, and no power tools. On Friday nights in summer, the garden hosts an eclectic repertoire of musical and dance performances that includes classical, Asian, world, gypsy jazz, Slavic soul, and fusion. The garden aims to create cultural understanding between the eastern and western ways of life in British Columbia.

The Chinese garden offers 45-minute guided tours throughout the day and is also a stop on many Vancouver gardens tours, city highlights tours, Vancouver bike tours, and cultural tours of Chinatown.

Things to Know Before You Go

The garden serves traditional Chinese tea and offers a family-friendly scavenger hunt for kids.It is recommend to sign up for guided tours in advance to ensure your desired time.Parking in Chinatown can be tricky. Tours with included transportation from area hotels offer an easy solution, as does public transportation.The small garden requires little walking and is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.

How to Get There

The Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, on Carrall Street in the heart of Vancouver’s Chinatown, is easily accessible via public transportation, and it’s only a few blocks away from the Gastown neighborhood and downtown Vancouver.

When to Get There

The garden is open daily from 10am to 4:30pm from October 1 to April 30 (closed on Mondays from November 1 to April 30), 10am to 6pm May 1 to June 14, and 9:30am to 7pm from June 15 to August 31. Summertime visitors get an added bonus of Friday night cultural performances, held from mid-July through the first weekend in September.

Feng Shui at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden

The ancient Chinese practice of feng shui, or energy alignment between physical spaces and people’s intentions, is evident everywhere in the garden. Notice how dark pebbles are placed next to light ones, how swaying bamboo grows around immovable rocks, and the way in which soft-moving water flows across solid stone. Each item—including the roof tiles, tai hu rocks, and native flora—was placed with a considered purpose to create balance and harmony.

Location

Address: 578 Carrall Street, Vancouver, Canada

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Hours: 10am to 4:30pm from October 1 to April 30 (closed on Mondays from November 1 to April 30), 10am to 6pm May 1 to June 14, and 9:30am to 7pm from June 15 to August 31

Spend a morning in Vancouver’s Chinatown with an off-duty chef on this 3.5-hour food and cultural walking tour. With the help of your expert, taste delicious barbecued crispy duck and other savory delights, as you learn about Chinatown’s historical landmarks and local cuisine. Drink tea, enter cookware and herbal medicine shops, and visit the tranquil Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. A dim sum lunch is included in this small-group tour limited to 10 people.

Discover the green spaces for which Vancouver is famous on this private 4-hour tour through the gardens of Vancouver. Explore Vancouver’s bustling Chinatown district and visit the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden. See medicine shops where the locals shop for remedies, then head to the lovely Queen Elizabeth Park with your private guide. Enjoy panoramic views over the sunken gardens and the city beyond, then visit the Van Dusen Botanical Garden — famous for its varied plant life. On route, see how Vancouver’s parks breathe life into the city.

Combine an exploration of some of Vancouver’s top neighborhoods with a garden-themed sightseeing 8-hour private city tour by limo. Explore Vancouver attractions like Stanley Park, Chinatown, Gastown, and the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden in the morning. After lunch you’ll enjoy the views fro Queen Elizabeth Park and tour the Blodel Conservatory and VanDusen Botanical Garden.

Discover the beauty and culture of Vancouver on a small-group bike tour – great for riders of all levels! Over five hours, accompany your guide on a leisurely ride along dedicated bike routes. Explore the city’s natural wonders like Stanley Park's rain forest and historic neighborhoods like Gastown and Chinatown – featuring one of the world’s best city gardens. Cruise along the seawalls for gorgeous views of the North Shore Mountains, False Creek and more!

Cycle along the seawall and through some of Vancouver’s most popular neighborhoods with your small group and a guide. You’ll see Gastown, Yaletown, Chinatown (with a stop at the serene Dr Sun Yat-Sen Garden) and Strathcona—Vancouver’s oldest residential neighborhood. There will be time for a walk through the market on Granville Island before concluding the 11-mile (18 kilometer) trip.